When unintentional infections turn out for the better

Beer Trader

It's always a bummer to open a beer only to have it gush and/or taste of sour, tart fruits. I usually try to drink at least some of the beers anyway to see how they turned out, though they're usually either bad or create clashing flavors (I get this especially with stouts/porters). I remember the well the horrors of 09AbyssGate.

Twice in the past month, though, I've come across infected beers that were at least as good as the original, if not better. The first was an older bottle of Olde Hickory Daniel Boone, which is a bbal brown ale. Fresh it was pretty boring and not much going on. A friend and I cracked a year-old bottle, though, and were greeted by a fairly strong sourness which blended with the bourbon and brown ale aspects very well. Kind of like a bourbon Flanders oud bruin, and far better than the original product.

The other was Hardywood Park's Bourbon Grand Cru (a quad). I had it on tap when fresh and it was a solid bbal quad--not too boozy or heavy. The bottle I had the other night shot its cork out once the cage was free, though thankfully didn't gush. What was once a smooth and bourbony quad had become a much lighter, tart, and citrusy quad (like a mellower Bolt Cutter). I don't know if I'd say it was better than the original, but it was at least on par.

The first (?) batch of Cigar City Guava Grove had a fantome-esque infection going on that was glorious, but apparently it got out of control on subsequent batches and they switched to a super clean saison strain.

The infected batches of Goose Island Sofie and Matilda were pleasant for a time, but now they are bordering on undrinkable.

Beer Trader

The first (?) batch of Cigar City Guava Grove had a fantome-esque infection going on that was glorious, but apparently it got out of control on subsequent batches and they switched to a super clean saison strain.

The infected batches of Goose Island Sofie and Matilda were pleasant for a time, but now they are bordering on undrinkable.

Cheers!

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I've not had Sofie post-ABI takeover, but I've definitely had a couple of gushing bottles that were extremely delicious. Definitely the best beer I've had from GI. I also remember trying Guava Grove a long time ago before I had much else from CCB and really enjoying the sourness. I had it again last year at a tasting and it wasn't the same beer at all or nearly as good.

I've not had Sofie post-ABI takeover, but I've definitely had a couple of gushing bottles that were extremely delicious. Definitely the best beer I've had from GI. I also remember trying Guava Grove a long time ago before I had much else from CCB and really enjoying the sourness. I had it again last year at a tasting and it wasn't the same beer at all or nearly as good.

Beer Trader

The first (?) batch of Cigar City Guava Grove had a fantome-esque infection going on that was glorious, but apparently it got out of control on subsequent batches and they switched to a super clean saison strain.

The infected batches of Goose Island Sofie and Matilda were pleasant for a time, but now they are bordering on undrinkable.

Cheers!

Click to expand...

Damn, just got a bottle of infected Matilda. Time to drink up I suppose.

Beer Trader

Interestingly enough, that is the whole premise for O'So's newest release Wee on the Lam. It was a Wee Heavy that ended up infected and apparently tasted good enough to bottle. Sounds like the only bottled some of the barrels and not all.

A buddy and I both scored a bottle so I think I might crack mine soon and then make a determination on how long to age his bottle.

Beer Trader

Infected Guava Grove was awesome. They should intentionally make a soured version.

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It was intentionally soured. The first batch had no bacteria then they started using a culture from St. Somewhere for the next two or so then switched back. I liked the sour version but the first batch was outstanding and much better IMO.